WEBVTT EP UP. LIKE IN A CAR COMMERCIAL, WHEN THE WHEELS LOOK LIKE THEY'RE GOING BACKWARD. BUT WE KNOW THEY ARE NOT. OUR OWN SKY 7 PILOT EXPLAINED WHAT REALLY HAPPENED. >> THE TAIL ROTOR FAILURE ON A HELICOPTER, ESPECIALLY ONE GOING AS LOW AND SLOW AS THAT ONE WAS, IS GOING TO BE VERY OBVIOUS, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO START SPINNING. TODD: UNLIKE WHAT YOU'VE READ ON THE INTERNET, OR SEEN ON TV, NEAL LAWSON SAYS THIS IS MORE LIKELY THE ENGINE FAILING. BECAUSE IT'S COMING STRAIGHT DOWN. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE TAIL ROTOR ACTUALLY GOES OUT. IT HAPPENED AT UNM HOSPITAL IN 2014. YOU SEE IT SPINNING AND SPINNING? LUCKILY, EVERYONE SURVIVED. THE CHOPPER ENDED UP HANGING OVER THE ROO NEAL: THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT, OTHER THAN SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND TRY FOR A FLAT LANDING. TODD: A TOURIST TAKING PICTURES OF PEARL HARBOR CAPTURED THIS VIDEO. NEAL SAYS THE PILOT GOT LUCKY LANDING IN WATER, SO CLOSE TO SHORE. WITH ENGINE FAILURE, YOU DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME OR MANY OPTIONS. NEAL: IT'S LIKE GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY IN YOUR CAR AT 60 MILES AN HOUR, AND ALL OF SUDDEN, THE ENGINE SIMPLY STOPS. TODD: AND MUCH LIKE A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT, HE THINKS EVERYONE ONBOARD IS ALIVE BECAUSE THEY